A Comparative Analysis of Quality of Life in Women Diagnosed with Breast and Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Previous studies showed that cancer significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze changes in the quality of life of women diagnosed with ovarian and breast cancer after surgical treatment followed by adjuvant cancer therapy. Methods: The study covered 220 women diagnosed with ovarian (n = 89) or breast cancer (n = 131) after surgical treatment followed by adjuvant cancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy). The tools used to measure the patients' quality of life were the standardized EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, the QLQ-BR23 module for breast cancer and the QLQ-OV28 module for ovarian cancer. Results: The subjective assessment of the health and quality of life of the women was carried out using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and the QLQ-OV28 and QLQ-BR23 modules. Women with breast cancer rated their health higher than women with ovarian cancer. The health assessment performed by the patients was not related to the type of cancer (p > 0.05). They experienced pain, dyspnea and weakness regardless of the cancer location. Moreover, women's health status had a clinically significant impact on their family and social life, although no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups (p > 0.05). Whilst the patients with breast cancer rated their quality of life and health higher than the patients with ovarian cancer, the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Changes in the quality of life of women with breast and ovarian cancer concern the physical sphere, hobbies, fatigue/rest, pain, family and social spheres, and material conditions. It is necessary to support specialists at every stage of treatment of these patients, which may improve the results of the treatment and patients' perception of health and quality of life.

Analysis of Quality of Life Subjective Perception by Patients Treated for Prostate Cancer with the EORTC QLQ-C30 Questionnaire and QLQ-PR25 Module.

Prostate cancer in men is the second most occurring cancer in Poland and represents approximately 13.2 % of all cancers. At the same time, it is the third largest cause of death in men, being responsible for approximately 8 % of deaths. The study was conducted among patients of Oncological Hospital in Wieliszew. The study included 83 men diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 51-84 years. The patients gave their written consent to participate in the study, to which the overall standardized questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PR25 for patients with prostate cancer was applied. Significant deterioration of the state of health due to cancer was indicated by a total of 10.84 % of patients. At the same time, it was found that although there are differences between quality of life in various age groups of respondents, they are statistically insignificant (Chi2 = 59.96; p = 0.00734; R = 0.09; p > 0.05). Subjective QoL did not depend on the stage of cancer treatment, type of therapy, or significant deterioration in the patient's state of health in the last stage of disease. Both disease and therapy have impact on quality of life in all its dimensions, in particular as regards the patient's physical functioning and his frequent fatigue. There is a strong relationship between a patient's subjective assessment of quality of life and pain that significantly hampers everyday activities. This demonstrates the need for continuous monitoring and relieving pain directly associated with cancer and methods of its treatment.